Arrangement of steering wheel and operator seat assembly

ABSTRACT

A control system for a construction vehicle, such as a motor grader, is provided. The control system includes a plurality of joysticks supported by an operator seat assembly of the motor grader.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 61/068,569, filed Mar. 7, 2008, titled “ARMRESTMOUNTED GRADER CONTROL,” to Ruhter et al., Docket No. DCO-P0048, thedisclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure includes a console for controlling a constructionvehicle, such as a motor grader.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Skilled motor grader operators have learned to operate the motor graderbased on a learned “feel” of the machine, and can accurately controlnumerous controls simultaneously to provide accurate grades at highproductivity. Highly skilled grader operators have a preferred controlpattern for motor graders such that nearly all graders have similarlever arrangements, including lever and knob size, lever efforts andlever travel. These traditional motor grader controls are a series ofindividual levers arranged on either side of the steering wheel. Eachlever individually controls a single function on the motor graderthrough a mechanical linkage system connected to a hydraulic valve.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to another aspect of the present invention, a constructionvehicle is provided that includes a chassis; a plurality of tractiondevices positioned to support the chassis; a ground engaging bladesupported by the chassis; and an operator seat assembly supported by thechassis. The operator seat assembly includes a frame, a seat, and a backsupport. The construction vehicle further includes a control systemsupported by the operator seat assembly and including a plurality ofjoysticks. Each of the plurality of joysticks is configured to controlat least one function of the motor grader. The construction vehiclefurther includes a console supported by the operator seat assembly andsupporting a plurality of the joysticks; and a steering wheel supportedby the chassis and configured to control the direction of travel of theconstruction vehicle. The steering wheel is spaced apart from theconsole by a distance of three inches or less.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a constructionvehicle is provided that includes a chassis; a plurality of tractiondevices positioned to support the chassis; a ground engaging bladesupported by the chassis; and an operator seat assembly supported by thechassis. The operator seat assembly includes a frame, a seat, a pair ofarmrests laterally spaced apart by an armrest gap, and a back support.The construction vehicle further includes a control system supported bythe operator seat assembly and including a plurality of joysticks. Eachof the plurality of joysticks is configured to control at least onefunction of the motor grader. The motor grader further includes aconsole supported by the operator seat assembly and supporting aplurality of the joysticks; and a steering wheel supported by thechassis and configured to control the direction of travel of theconstruction vehicle. The steering wheel has a diameter. The ratio ofthe armrest gap to the steering wheel diameter is greater than 1.5.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a constructionvehicle is provided that includes a chassis; a plurality of tractiondevices positioned to support the chassis; a ground engaging bladesupported by the chassis; and an operator seat assembly supported by thechassis. The operator seat assembly includes a frame, a seat, a pair ofarmrests laterally spaced apart by an armrest gap, and a back support.The construction vehicle further includes a control system supported bythe operator seat assembly and including a plurality of joysticks. Eachof the plurality of joysticks is configured to control at least onefunction of the motor grader. The motor grader further includes asteering wheel supported by the chassis and configured to control thedirection of travel of the construction vehicle; and a console supportedby the operator seat assembly and supporting a plurality of thejoysticks. The console and the steering wheel are spaced apart by aconsole-steering wheel gap. The ratio of the armrest gap to theconsole-steering wheel gap is greater than five.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a constructionvehicle is provided that includes a chassis; a plurality of tractiondevices positioned to support the chassis; a ground engaging bladesupported by the chassis; and an operator seat assembly supported by thechassis. The operator seat assembly includes a frame, a seat, a pair ofarmrests laterally spaced apart by an armrest gap, and a back support.The construction vehicle further includes a control system supported bythe operator seat assembly and including a plurality of joysticks. Eachof the plurality of joysticks is configured to control at least onefunction of the motor grader. The construction vehicle further includesa steering wheel supported by the chassis and configured to control thedirection of travel of the construction vehicle; and a pair of consolessupported by the operator seat assembly and supporting a plurality ofthe joysticks. The pair of consoles are laterally spaced apart by aconsole gap. The ratio of the armrest gap to the console gap beinggreater than 1.25.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features of the present disclosure willbecome more apparent and will be better understood by reference to thefollowing description of embodiments of the present disclosure taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a motor grader showing the motorgrader including a chassis, a cab supported by the chassis, a graderblade extending below the chassis, and a plurality of wheels or tractiondevices supporting the chassis on the ground;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of an operator seat assembly, shiftconsole, and steering console configured for use within the cab of themotor grader;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the operator seat assembly, shift console, andsteering console of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the operator seat assembly, shiftconsole, and steering console of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5A is a side elevation view of the operator seat assembly, shiftconsole, and steering console of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5B is a view similar to FIG. 5A with the shift console not shown,showing an operator (in phantom) supported by the operator seatassembly;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the operator seat assembly and shift consoleof FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a schematic top plan view of the motor grader of FIG. 1showing the operator's view of the grader blade

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the operator cab of the motor grader ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 9A is a view of the blade heel from the operator cab;

FIG. 9B is a view of the grader blade from the operator cab;

FIG. 9C is another view of the grader blade from the operator cab;

FIG. 10A is a view through the lower front of the operator cab;

FIG. 10B is another view through the lower front of the operator cab;

FIG. 11 a perspective view of another embodiment of a console for usewith the motor grader of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of an operator seat assembly showing the gearshifter coupled to a left console;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of another embodiment of seat assembly foruse with a motor grader;

FIG. 15 is a lower perspective view of another alternative embodimentseat assembly for use with a motor grader;

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of a float switch;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a joystick for use with a motor grader;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the joystick of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is an assembly view of the joystick of FIG. 17 showingalternative screws;

FIG. 20 is a view of a button assembly of the joystick of FIG. 17mounted on a mold insert before a knob is molded over the buttonassembly;

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the joystick of FIG.17 after the knob is molded over the button assembly and the moldinsert;

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the joystick of FIG. 17 showing themold insert replaced by a joystick shaft;

FIG. 23 is an assembly view of the button assembly of the joystick ofFIG. 17;

FIG. 24 is an assembly view of a button and button cap of the buttonassembly;

FIG. 25 is a view of a joystick having two buttons;

FIG. 26 is an assembly view of the joystick of FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the joystick of FIG.25 after the knob is molded over the button assembly and mold insert;

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of the joystick of FIG. 25 showing themold insert replaced by a joystick shaft;

FIG. 29 is an assembly view of the button assembly of the joystick ofFIG. 25;

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view through the button assembly of thejoystick of FIG. 25;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the button assembly of the joystick ofFIG. 25 mounted on the mold insert before a knob is molded over thebutton assembly and mold insert;

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a joystick without a button;

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view through the joystick of FIG. 32;

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of a knob of the joystick of FIG. 32 aftera mold insert is removed from the knob; and

FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view showing the mold insert within theknob.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. Although the drawings representembodiments of the present invention, the drawings are not necessarilyto scale and certain features may be exaggerated in order to betterillustrate and explain the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive orlimit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the followingdetailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and describedso that others skilled in the art may utilize their teachings.

Motor grader 10 is shown in FIG. 1 for spreading and leveling dirt,gravel, or other materials. Grader 10 includes articulated chassis 12,operator cab 13, and a plurality of rear wheels 14, also described astraction devices, to propel chassis 12 and the remainder of grader 10along the ground, a pair of front steerable wheels 14′, which may alsobe described as traction devices, engine 16 to power operation of grader10, transmission 7 (shown in phantom) transmitting power from engine 16to rear wheels 14, motor grader circle 9, and grader blade 18 supportedby circle 9 and including distal heal 19 and opposite distal toe 19′ forspreading and leveling. In addition to blade 18, grader 10 is providedwith a front mounted ripper/scarifier 20 and a rear mountedripper/scarifier 20′ for working the soil prior to grading operations.

Although a motor grader is described in detail, the features describedherein may be provided on other vehicles such as bull dozers, frontloaders, and other construction vehicles having various ground engagingtools and traction devices, such as wheels and tracks. Grader blade 18is described as a ground engaging blade, but is not limited toengagement with soil, dirt, gravel, etc. It and other ground engagingblades, such as snow plows 11 (shown in phantom in FIG. 7) or snow wings9 (shown in phantom in FIG. 7), may also engage other materials, such assnow.

Operator cab 13 includes pair of lateral side walls 15, front wall 17,roof 21, and rear wall 23 and a floor 22 defining an interior region ofoperator cab 13. Side walls 15 and front wall 17 include windows 25.

Referring to FIG. 2, operator seat assembly 30 is positioned in operatorcab 13 and includes frame 32, seat 34, back support 36, armrest 38, andcontrol console 40. Each of seat 34, back support 36, armrest 38, andcontrol consoles 40 are coupled to and supported by frame 32. Controlconsoles 40 support several inputs 60 of control system 58 of motorgrader 10.

Operator seat assembly 30 is configured to rotate relative to chassis 12to permit operator 55 (FIG. 5B) to rotate operator seat assembly 30 asdesired. Because armrests 38 and control consoles rotate with seatassembly 30, the operator's arms 26 remain in the same position relativeto inputs 60 as operator 55 rotates seat assembly 30. The forward andrearward position of console 40 may be adjusted by loosening clamp 43,as shown in FIG. 5B. As shown in FIG. 5A, armrests 38 and consoles 40may rotate about a common axis X in direction 45 upward to provideaccess to seat 34. According to the preferred embodiment, only leftarmrest 38 and console 40 rotate.

Steering console assembly 27 is positioned forward of seat assembly 30and includes steering column or pedestal 29 and steering wheel 31rotatably coupled to steering column 29 to control steering of motorgrader 10. Steering column 29 is coupled to floor 22 of cab 13. Steeringwheel 31 has a preferred diameter 63 of 10 inches (25.4 cm). Steeringwheel 31 and consoles 40 cooperate to define a console-steering wheelgap 71 of about 1.6 inches (4.0 cm).

Shift console assembly 33 is positioned to the right of seat assembly 30and includes a pedestal 35 coupled to floor 22 of cab 13 and a shiftlever 37 operatively connected to pedestal 35. Pedestal 35 is spacedapart from right control console 40 by about 1.6 inches (4.0 cm). Shiftlever or shifter 37 controls transmission 7.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, controlsystem 58 is electronic and interacts with the electrohydraulic systems(electrohydraulic valves, hydraulic cylinders, etc.) of motor grader 10.Thus, motor grader 10 is controlled by an electro-hydraulic (EH) system.Wires (not shown) extend from inputs 60 of control system 58 through cab13 to the electrohydraulic valves (not shown) located outside of cab 13.Because only wires, rather than hydraulic lines, exit cab 13, cab 13 issealed better and quieter than if hydraulic lines extended into cab 13.Although motor grader 10 uses an EH, other systems, such as allhydraulic systems may be provided for motor grader 10.

To improve the view of an operator and reduce operator fatigue, inputs60 of control system 58 are placed nearer to the operator. According tothe exemplary embodiment, inputs 60 are placed on control consoles 40 infront of armrest 38. By placing inputs 60 on nearer the operator,viewing through front wall 17 of cab 13 is not obstructed by mechanicallevers and linkages extending through the floor of cab adjacent to frontwall 17. For example, as shown in FIGS. 8, 9A, 9B and 10, windows 25extend substantially to floor 22 of cab 13 with no obstruction due tofloor mounted control levers. To further place inputs 60 out of the lineof sight of the operator, some of controls 60 are placed directly overseat 34 of seat assembly 30.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5B, seat consoles 40 include forward end orforward portions 42, rearward end or rearward portions 44, consoleoutboard sides 46, and console inboard sides 48. Consoles 40 defineblade viewing recesses 50, radiused, torso recesses 52, and leg recesses54, shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B.

In one illustrative embodiment, control consoles 40 are at leastpartially located below armrests 38 as shown in FIG. 5B. By placingcontrol consoles 40 below armrests 38, inputs 60 are in a convenientlocation for the operator's palms and fingers 59 and are further out ofthe line of sight of the operator. Rearward portions 44 of consoles 40are positioned directly below a portion of armrests 38.

As mentioned above, to improve the line of sight of the operator, inputs60 are placed nearer the operator. To facilitate this placement, atleast a portion of control console 40 is located directly above seat 34to place several of inputs also directly above seat 34 nearer theoperator. For example, console inboard side 48 of console 40 ispositioned directly above a forward, outboard portion 49 of seat 34 asshown in FIG. 3. As a result of this placement, innermost portions ofcontrol consoles 40 define a control console gap 41 of about 13.4 inches(34.1 cm) between control consoles 40. For reference, innermost portionsof armrest 38 define an armrest gap 47 of about 19.3 inches (49.1 cm).According to alternative embodiments, other control console gaps 41 andarmrest gaps 47 are provided. According to the present disclosure, theratio of armrest gap 47 to steering wheel diameter 63 is greater than1.5. According to the preferred embodiment, this ratio is about 1.93,but other ratios may be provided, such as 1.25, 1.75, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0,etc. According to the present disclosure, the ratio of armrest gap 47 toconsole-steering wheel gap 71 is greater than five. According to thepreferred embodiment, this ratio is about 12.3, but other ratios may beprovided, such as 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 15, 20, etc. According to the presentdisclosure, the ratio of armrest gap 47 to console gap 41 is greaterthan 1.25. According to the preferred embodiment, this ratio is about1.44, but other ratios may be provided, such as 0.9, 1.1, 1.3, 1.5, 1.7,etc.

As also illustrated in FIGS. 5B and 6, leg recesses 54 provides legs 28with additional space underneath the portions of control consoles 40positioned directly over seats 34. Forward, downwardly facing surfaces51 of control consoles 40 that define leg recesses 54 have a higherelevation than reward, downwardly facing surfaces 53 of control consoles40.

As shown in FIG. 2, control system 58 includes a plurality of inputs 60,such as joysticks and switches. In an illustrative embodiment, joysticks60 define a control pattern for motor graders utilizing joysticks 60.Control system 58 allows operator 55 (FIG. 5B) to finely adjust multiplefunctions on the motor grader 10 to achieve accurate and precise controlduring grading operations.

Left control console 40 supports a plurality of joysticks 60. As shownin FIG. 3, front joystick 80 that controls the pitch of blade 18 bymoving it forward and backward and controls raising and lower of ripper20′ by moving left and right. Left, rear joystick 82 controls the heightof the left end of blade 18 by moving it forward and backward. Center,rear joystick 84 controls side shifting of blade 18 by moving it forwardand backward and controls steering of motor grader 10 by moving in leftand right. Once front wheels 14 are turned by moving center, rearjoystick 84 left (or right), they remain turned left (or right) untilcenter, rear joystick 84 is moved to the right (or left). Steeringthrough using center rear joystick 84 is in addition to steering wheel31 of vehicle 10. Thus, two inputs are provided on vehicle 10 forcontrolling steering of front wheels 14. According to alternativeembodiments of the present disclosure, the steering and other functionsmay be controlled by any of the other joysticks 60. Rear, right joystick86, controls the angle of blade 18 through rotation of the grader circleby moving forward and backward.

Right control console 40 also supports a plurality of joysticks 60.Front joystick 88 that controls the articulation of motor grader 10 bymoving it forward and backward and controls raising and lower of ripper20 by moving left and right. Left, rear joystick 90 controls the sideshift of the grader circle by moving it forward and backward. Center,rear joystick 92 controls the lean of front wheels 14 of motor grader 10by moving it forward and backward. Rear, right joystick 94 controls theheight of the right end of blade 18 by moving it forward and backward.

Joysticks 60 are positioned close enough to facilitate an operator'shand 59 and allow operator 55 to reach each joystick with limited or notarm movement. In the preferred embodiment, lateral spacing 91 betweenjoysticks 60 in a row is about 2.6 inches (6.5 cm). Thus, the totalspread between the tops of joysticks 60 in a row is about 5.2 inches(13.0 cm). The longitudinal spacing 93 between forward and rearjoysticks is about 2.7 inches (6.8 cm). The lateral spacing 95 betweenforward and rear joysticks is about 1.3 inches (3.25 cm). The lateralspacing 97 between inboard joysticks 60 on each control console 40 isabout 16.6 inches (4.21 cm).

As shown in FIG. 3 on left console 40, left, rear joystick 82 includesbutton assembly 65 facing inward that acts as a left hand integratedgrade control or “IGC” switch. When IGC switch 65 on left, rear joystick82 is pressed, this joystick 60 becomes a master blade lift lever sothat if left, rear joystick 82 is actuated to raise a left end of blade18, the right end of blade 18 also raises to maintain the slope of blade18.

Center, rear joystick 84 includes a pair of button assemblies 65 facinginward that acts as an IGC to provide increment/decrement. When one ofbutton assemblies 65 is pressed, the slope of blade 18 increases by apredetermined increment, such as 0.1 degrees. When the other buttonassembly 65 is pressed, the slope of blade 18 decreases by thepredetermined increment. Front joystick 80 may also include buttonassemblies 65 facing forward.

On right console 40, front joystick 88 includes button assembly 65facing forward that returns the articulation of motor grader 10 tostraight. Center, rear joystick 92 includes button assemblies 65 facinginward that provide the IGC increment/decrement function describedabove. Thus, according to one configuration of the control functions,button assemblies of center, rear joystick 84 of left console 40 andcenter, rear joystick 92 of right console 40 control the same functions.According another configuration of the control functions, these buttonassemblies control different functions. For example, according to oneconfiguration, blade 18 is provided with a curb sensor that detects theheight of blade 18 relative to a curb. When this feature is activated,button assemblies 65 on center, rear joystick 84 of left console 40 cancontrol the increment/decrement of the blade height and buttonassemblies 65 of center, rear joystick 92 of right console 40 cancontrol the slope of blade 18.

Rear, right joystick 94 includes button assembly 65 facing inward thatacts as a right hand IGC switch. When IGC switch 65 on right, rearjoystick 94 is pressed, this joystick 60 becomes a master blade liftlever so that if right, rear joystick 94 is actuated to raise a rightend of blade 18, the left end of blade 18 also raises to maintain theslope of blade 18.

As shown in FIG. 3, control system 58 also includes auxiliary joystickinputs 64, such as auxiliary joysticks 96, differential lock switch 98,as well as float switches 100. A horn button 99 may be provided to theright of float switches 100 or elsewhere. Differential lock switch 98control the locking and unlocking of the motor grader differential.

Float switches 100 control the float function of the ground engagingdevices supported by motor grader 10. The float function allows blade 18and the other ground engage blades (such as snow plows 11, snow wings 9,etc.) to float or ride over the hard surfaces (such as pavement) ratherthan be rigid relative to the hard surface. For example, when the floatfunction is activated, the hydraulic cylinders controlling snow plow 11would not be in a rigid fixed position, but would allow snow plow 11 tofloat over the pavement so that any rollers supporting the snow plow 11could roll over the pavement and avoid snow plow 11 gouging the payment.As shown in FIG. 16, each float switch 100 includes left, middle, andright bubble switches 102, 104, 106. Middle bubble switch 104 is raisedrelative to left and right bubble switches 102, 106 to allow a user tolocate it tactilely. Middle bubble switch 104 on left float switch 100controls the float of the left end of blade 18 and the middle bubbleswitch 104 on right float switch 100 controls the float of the right endof blade 18. Left and right bubble switches 102, 106 control the floatfunction of auxiliary attachments, such as snow plows 11 and snow wings9.

Several auxiliary functions are controlled by mini auxiliary joysticks96 by moving them forward and backward and right and left. Additionalauxiliary functions are provided by front joystick stick 80 on leftconsole 40 by using the unused axes of movement of primary joysticks 80,82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94 and/or primary joysticks 80, 82, 84, 86, 88,90, 91, 94 without button assemblies 65. The auxiliary functions controlthe operation of accessories attached to motor grader 10, not includingblade 18. Such attachments may include rippers 20, 20′, snow plow 11,and snow wing 9 that are attached to the front, end, or sides of motorgrader 10. These functions may include the position (height or lateralposition) and orientation (pitch, rotation, etc.)

When left armrest 38 and left console 40 are raised in direction 45, asensor (not shown) detects this movement and disables the controls, suchas joysticks 60 and the other controls. If an operation of motor grader10 is active when left armrest 38 and left console 40 are raised, theoperation is terminated.

Blade viewing recess 50 is configured to allow operator 55, shown inFIG. 5B, to view a portion of grader blade 18, such as blade toe 19′ orblade heel 19 as shown in FIG. 7. Reference to blade toe 19′ and bladeheel 19 depends on the direction in which the blade 18 is rotated. Whengrader blade 18 is rotated to the position shown in phantom in FIG. 7,the operator's line of site 39 may extend through blade viewing recess50 so that less of console 40 is blocking the operator's view. Aspreviously described, inputs 60 control functions of grader blade 18 sothat blade viewing recess 50 allows operator 55 to view the result of acontrol function of motor grader 10 while simultaneously viewing blade18. Armrest 38 is configured to adjust in height and angle to allow theoperator to adjust the position of recess 50 and otherwise increasetheir visibility.

As shown in FIG. 7, front vertical posts 67 separate side walls 15 andfront wall 17. Similarly, middle vertical posts 69 divide side walls 15.Because front vertical posts 67 are at the extreme lateral edge of cab13, they do not block the view of the operator looking forward. Thus,the operator may see implements supported by the front of chassis 12,such as front ripper 20 or a snow blade (shown in phantom). Similarly,because middle vertical posts 69 are positioned behind the front of seatassembly 30, they do not block the operator's view of blade 18.

In this embodiment as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5B, consoles 40 includeconsole primary bases 70, which supports joysticks 60, and consoles 40includes console secondary bases 72, which supports auxiliary joysticks64, differential switch 98, and float switches 100. Console primary base70 is illustrated as higher than console secondary base 72 to provideapproximately one inch (2.5 cm) of clearance. As shown in FIG. 5B,joysticks 60 include an uppermost surface 74 that is higher thanauxiliary joysticks 64.

FIG. 5B also illustrates operator 55 supported by operator seat assembly30. Operator 55 includes head 24, torso 57, arm 26, hand or fingers 59,and legs 28. As illustrated in FIG. 5B, the operator's arm 26 rests uponarmrest 38 in an ergonomically comfortable position. Armrest 38 isconfigured to support arm 26 and also to provide operator 55 with aframe of reference during movement of motor grader 10. Furthermore,fingers 59 are positioned to comfortably reach joysticks 60 while arm 26is supported by armrest 38. Adjustment system 56 is configured to adjustthe location of console 40 in relation to operator seat assembly 30,operator 55, or fingers 59. Hand or fingers 59 are also able tocomfortably reach auxiliary joysticks 64, differential lock switch 98,and float switches 100. In one embodiment, hand or fingers 59 areprovided approximately one inch of clearance over auxiliary inputs 64,differential lock switch 98, and float switches 100 based on the heightof console secondary base 72 in relation to console primary base 70.

An alternative embodiment console 140 is shown in FIG. 11. Console 140includes base 142. Console 140 is coupled to motor grader 10 in anarrangement similar to console 40. Base 142 defines first joystick slot144 and second joystick slot 146. First joystick slot 144 provides firstjoystick slot longitudinal axis 148. Similarly second joystick slot 146provides second joystick slot longitudinal axis 149. Base 142 alsodefines mount slots 154. Base 142 also defines blade viewing recess 150and opposite recess 152. Blade viewing recess 150 is similar to bladeviewing recess 50 in that blade viewing recess 150 is configured toallow operator 55 to view a portion of grader blade 18, such as heel 19.

Joysticks 160 are shown including joystick shafts 161 and joystick knobs162 which are similar to joystick shafts 61 and joystick knobs 62 shownin FIG. 4. Joysticks 160 are configured to mount to base 142 by the useof fasteners 164 and joystick mounts 166. As illustrated in thisembodiment, fasteners 164 are positioned within mount slot 154 andattached to joystick mounts 166. Joystick mounts 166 are illustrated tosupport joystick shafts 161 and joystick knobs 162, which are locatedwithin first and second joystick slots 144, 146. As shown in FIG. 11,joysticks 160 are arranged in a control system arrangement similar toconsole 40, as previously described. The control system arrangements aresimilar in all aspects except for the ones that are explicitly describedherein.

As shown in FIG. 11, joysticks 160 are configured to mount to base 142and are configured to adjustably move along longitudinal axes 148, 149.Mount slot 154, as well as first and second joystick slots 144 and 146,allow for translation of joysticks 160 along longitudinal axes 148, 149in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of chassis 12.Joysticks 160 are not limited to a particular mount location, but may bepositioned relative to console 140 or each other depending on thepreference of the operator. Joysticks 160 are configured to remaincoupled to the control system of vehicle 10 so they remain functionaleven while being moved from one location, such as a first mount locationto a lateral, second location. As also shown in FIG. 12, fasteners 164are located within mount slots 154 and fasten to joystick mounts 166 tohold joysticks 160 in place.

Joysticks 60, 160 are modular. If a joystick 60, 160 needs replaced orrepaired, individual joysticks 60, 160 may be removed and replacedwithout having to remove the remaining joysticks 60, 160. If a joystick60, 160 fails in the field, the function of the failed joystick 60, 160can be switched to another joystick 60, 160. If necessary, thefunctionality of the other joystick can be disabled when replaced. Thefunctionality can be switched to another joystick through the motorgrader touch screen monitor 101 (shown in FIG. 10). For example, ifrear, center joystick 84 on left control console 40 fails, the sideshift function can be transferred to another joystick 60, such as one ofauxiliary joysticks 64 or one of the lesser used primary joysticks 60.

The functionality of joysticks 60, 160 can also be reconfigured tosatisfy the preferences of the operator. For example, the left bladelift function provided by left, rear joystick 82 of left console 40 maybe shifted to center, rear joystick 92 of right console, which isadjacent to right, rear joystick 94 that provides the right blade liftfunction. In this configuration, both the left end and right end bladelift functions are on adjacent joysticks 60.

In another embodiment, seat assembly 230 is shown in FIG. 13. Shifter332 is coupled to left console 240 and controls transmission 7. Seatassembly 230 is similar to seat assembly 30 in all other aspects

In another embodiment, consoles 340 are shown in FIG. 14. Consoles 340supports control system 358, which is substantially similar to controlsystem 58. Console 340 is similar to console 40 in all other aspects,except what is explicitly mentioned. Console 340 does not define arecess similar to control recess 50 shown in FIG. 2. Control system 358includes an additional primary joystick 60. Front, left joystick 360 maycontrol three or more auxiliary functions by moving forward andbackward, left and right, and by including one or more button assemblies65. Similarly, front, right joystick 362 may control three or moreauxiliary functions in a similar manner.

In another embodiment, consoles 440 are shown in FIG. 15. Consoles 540support control system 58. Consoles 440 are similar to consoles 40 inall other aspects, except what is explicitly mentioned. Consoles 340define steering wheel recesses 450 that provides additional visibilityand clearance between consoles 440 and steering wheel 31. Each console440 also defines an alternative leg recess 454. Leg recess 454 isdefined by downwardly facing surface 456 and inwardly facing surface458. Portions 460 of consoles positioned directly above seat are thinnerthan portions 462 not positioned directly over seat 34.

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, joysticks 60 include joystick knobs 62 andjoystick shafts 61 supporting knobs 62. Preferably, knobs 62 have aspherical ball portion 68 having a diameter 66 of 1.5 inches (3.8 cm),but they may be other diameters. Knobs 62 further include a sleeve 78that is positioned over shafts 61 and is integral with spherical ballportion 68.

Each joystick knob 62 may also include one or more joystick push buttonassemblies 65. Joystick knobs 62 may rotate relative to joystick shafts61 to permit an operator to adjust the relative position of push buttonassembly 65 to a desired location. As shown in FIG. 17, knob 62 includesa threaded set screw-receiving hole 63 and shaft 61 includes a pluralityof threaded holes 73 sized to receive a set screw 75. To change theangular position of button assembly 65, set screw 75 is backed out ofhole 73, knob 62 is rotated to the desired position, and set screw 75 isdriven back into the appropriate hole 73. Because holes 73 are atpredetermined locations, the various positions of knob 62 are alsopredetermined. However, according to alternative embodiments, thepositions are not predetermined. Joystick push button assemblies 65 areillustrated in particular arrangements on joysticks 60. However,joystick push button assemblies 65 are not limited to any particularposition or arrangement.

Knobs 62 with push button assemblies 65 are hollow to receive pushbutton assemblies 65 and wires 76 coupled to push button assemblies 65.Similarly, shafts 61 are hollow to receive wires 76 that extend frompush button assemblies 65 through shaft 61 to console 40 as shown inFIG. 17.

Knobs 62 is molded over push button assemblies 65 to be one piece andavoid seams or split lines that may irritate an operator's hand. Duringthe over molding process, mold insert 108 is placed in push buttonassembly 65 as shown in FIG. 20. Next, button assembly 65 and moldinsert 108 are placed in an injection mold and plastic is injected intothe mold to form knob 62 over button assembly 65 and mold insert 108 asshown in FIG. 21. Mold insert 108 is then removed and shaft 61 isinserted into knob 62. Wires 76 are connected to button assembly 65before or after shaft 61 is inserted into knob 62.

Additional details of button assembly 65 are shown in FIG. 23. Buttonassembly 65 includes a pair of housings 110, a button 112, a mold cap114, and a switch 116. During assembly, switch 116, button 112, and moldcap 114 are placed between housings 110 and secured together withfasteners 122. Mold cap 114 is made of silicon and is pinched betweenhousings 110 and button 112 after assembly. During molding of knob 62,mold cap 114 prevents the knob plastic from entering button assembly 65.After knob 62 is molded over button assembly 65, mold cap 114 is removedto provide button 112 clearance to pivot within knob 62 as shown in FIG.22. As shown in FIG. 19, as a result of the over molding process, knob62 is free of split lines because it is molded as one piece.

As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, button 112 includes a pair of posts 117 andhousings 110 include post-receiving apertures 118 that receive posts 117and allow button 112 to pivot relative to knob 62. Button 112 alsoincludes a back post 120 that depresses switch 116 when button 112 isdepressed by an operator 55.

Knobs 62 is also molded over joysticks 60 with dual push button assembly165 to avoid seams or split lines that may irritate an operator's hand.During the over molding process, mold insert 108 is placed in dual pushbutton assembly 165 as shown in FIG. 31. Next, dual button assembly 165and mold insert 108 are placed in an injection mold and plastic isinjected into the mold to form knob 62 over button assembly 165 and moldinsert 108 as shown in FIG. 27. Mold insert 108 is then removed andshaft 61 is inserted into knob 62. Wires 76 are connected to dual buttonassembly 165 before or after shaft 61 is inserted into knob 62.

Additional details of dual button assembly 165 are shown in FIG. 29.Dual button assembly 165 includes a pair of housings 124, pair ofbuttons 112, a pair of mold caps 114, and a pair of switches 116. Asshown in FIG. 29, housings 124 include post-receiving apertures 118 thatreceive posts 117 and allow button 112 to pivot relative to knob 62.During assembly, switches 116, buttons 112, and mold caps 114 are placedbetween housings 124 and secured together with fasteners 122. Mold caps114 are pinched between housings 124 and buttons 112 after assembly.During molding of knob 62, mold caps 114 prevent the knob plastic fromentering button assembly 165. After knob 62 is molded over buttonassembly 165, mold caps 114 are removed to provide buttons 112 clearanceto pivot within knob 62 as shown in FIG. 25. As a result of the overmolding process, knob 62 is free of split lines because it is molded asone piece.

Knob 62 without button assembly 65 is shown in FIGS. 32 and 33. A shaft61 is provided within knob 62. Similar to the molding process for theabove-mentioned knobs, a mold insert 108 is placed in the injection moldand plastic is injected into the mold. Then, mold insert 108 is removedand shaft 61 is inserted into knob 62 as shown in FIG. 33.

While this invention has been described as having an exemplary design,the present invention may be further modified within the spirit andscope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended tocover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using itsgeneral principles. Further, this application is intended to cover suchdepartures from the present disclosure as come within known or customarypractice in the art to which this invention pertains.

1. A construction vehicle including a chassis; a plurality of tractiondevices positioned to support the chassis; a ground engaging bladesupported by the chassis; an operator seat assembly supported by thechassis, the operator seat assembly including a frame, a seat, and aback support; a control system supported by the operator seat assemblyand including a plurality of joysticks, each of the plurality ofjoysticks being configured to control at least one function of the motorgrader; a console supported by the operator seat assembly and supportinga plurality of the joysticks; and a steering wheel supported by thechassis and configured to control the direction of travel of theconstruction vehicle, the steering wheel being spaced apart from theconsole by a distance of three inches or less.
 2. The constructionvehicle of claim 1, wherein the steering wheel has diameter less than 12inches.
 3. The construction vehicle of claim 1, wherein the steeringwheel is spaced apart from the console by less than 2 inches.
 4. Theconstruction vehicle of claim 1, further comprising another consolesupporting a plurality of the joysticks, wherein the consoles arelaterally spaced apart by a distance less than the maximum lateral widthof the seat.
 5. The construction vehicle of claim 4, wherein thedistance between the consoles is less than 15 inches.
 6. Theconstruction vehicle of claim 1, wherein a forward-most portion of theconsole has a longitudinal position substantially equal to alongitudinal position of a rearward-most portion of the steering wheel.7. A construction vehicle including a chassis; a plurality of tractiondevices positioned to support the chassis; a ground engaging bladesupported by the chassis; an operator seat assembly supported by thechassis, the operator seat assembly including a frame, a seat, a pair ofarmrests laterally spaced apart by an armrest gap, and a back support; acontrol system supported by the operator seat assembly and including aplurality of joysticks, each of the plurality of joysticks beingconfigured to control at least one function of the motor grader; aconsole supported by the operator seat assembly and supporting aplurality of the joysticks; and a steering wheel supported by thechassis and configured to control the direction of travel of theconstruction vehicle, the steering wheel having a diameter, the ratio ofthe armrest gap to the steering wheel diameter being greater than 1.5.8. The construction vehicle of claim 7, wherein the ratio is greaterthan 1.75.
 9. The construction vehicle of claim 7, wherein the diameterof the steering wheel is less than twelve inches.
 10. The constructionvehicle of claim 7, wherein the armrest gap is at least seventeeninches.
 11. The construction vehicle of claim 7, wherein the console andthe steering wheel are spaced apart by a distance less than threeinches.
 12. The construction vehicle of claim 7, wherein at least one ofthe plurality of joysticks is positioned directly over the seat.
 13. Aconstruction vehicle including a chassis; a plurality of tractiondevices positioned to support the chassis; a ground engaging bladesupported by the chassis; an operator seat assembly supported by thechassis, the operator seat assembly including a frame, a seat, a pair ofarmrests laterally spaced apart by an armrest gap, and a back support; acontrol system supported by the operator seat assembly and including aplurality of joysticks, each of the plurality of joysticks beingconfigured to control at least one function of the motor grader; asteering wheel supported by the chassis and configured to control thedirection of travel of the construction vehicle; and a console supportedby the operator seat assembly and supporting a plurality of thejoysticks, the console and the steering wheel being spaced apart by aconsole-steering wheel gap, the ratio of the armrest gap to theconsole-steering wheel gap being greater than five.
 14. The constructionvehicle of claim 13, wherein the ratio is greater than 7.5.
 15. Theconstruction vehicle of claim 14, wherein the ratio is greater than ten.16. The construction vehicle of claim 13, wherein the console-steeringwheel gap is less than three inches.
 17. The construction vehicle ofclaim 13, further comprising another console supporting a plurality ofjoysticks, the consoles cooperate to define a lateral gap therebetween,the lateral gap being less than fifteen inches.
 18. The constructionvehicle of claim 17, wherein the armrest gap is at least seventeeninches.
 19. A construction vehicle including a chassis; a plurality oftraction devices positioned to support the chassis; a ground engagingblade supported by the chassis; an operator seat assembly supported bythe chassis, the operator seat assembly including a frame, a seat, apair of armrests laterally spaced apart by an armrest gap, and a backsupport; a control system supported by the operator seat assembly andincluding a plurality of joysticks, each of the plurality of joysticksbeing configured to control at least one function of the motor grader; asteering wheel supported by the chassis and configured to control thedirection of travel of the construction vehicle; and a pair of consolessupported by the operator seat assembly and supporting a plurality ofthe joysticks, the pair of consoles being laterally spaced apart by aconsole gap, the ratio of the armrest gap to the console gap beinggreater than 1.25.
 20. The construction vehicle of claim 19, wherein theratio is greater than 1.4.
 21. The construction vehicle of claim 19,wherein the armrest gap is greater than seventeen inches.
 22. Theconstruction vehicle of claim 21, wherein the console gap is less thanfifteen inches.
 23. The construction vehicle of claim 19, wherein thepair of consoles are spaced apart from the steering wheel by less thanthree inches.
 24. The construction vehicle of claim 19, wherein at leastone of the plurality of joysticks is positioned directly over the seat.